The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals:
i.Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana
ii.Ratification of 3 Protocols on Article 3 bis and Article 50 (a) & Article 56 relating to amendments in the Chicago Convention, 1944
iii.Extension of the term of the 22nd Law Commission of India upto 31st August, 2024
iv.Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of cotton bales
Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Guyana
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Government of Co-operative Republic of Guyana to enable the framework for provision of air services between the two countries.
- This agreement will led to improved and effortless connectivity, and provide opportunities for commercial carriers between both nations.
- It will be implemented after both sides completes the necessary internal procedures and confirms their readiness through the exchange of diplomatic notes.
What is Air Services Agreement (ASA)?
It provides the legal framework for air operations between two countries which is based on the principles of sovereignty of nations, nationality of carriers and reciprocity in terms of commercial opportunities for the designated airlines of each side.
Key Note:
India and Guyana are signatories to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). At present, there is no ASA between the two countries.
Indians have a sizable presence in Guyana and are the largest ethnic group comprising about 40% of the population as per 2012 census.
Cabinet approves the ratification of three Protocols on Article 3 bis and Article 50 (a) & Article 56 relating to amendments in the Chicago Convention, 1944
The Union Cabinet approved the ratification of three Protocols on Article 3 bis and Article 50 (a) and Article 56 relating to amendments in the convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), 1944.
The three protocols are as follows:
i.Protocol to insert Article 3 bis in the Chicago Convention, 1944 to refrain member states from resorting to the use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight (Protocol signed in May, 1984)
ii.Protocol to amend Article 50 (a) of the Chicago Convention, 1944 for raising the strength of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Council from 36 to 40 (Protocol signed in October, 2016)
iii.Protocol to amend Article 56 of the Chicago Convention, 1944 for raising the strength of the Air Navigation Commission from 18 to 21 (Protocol signed in October, 2016)
Key Points:
i.This ratification will affirm India’s commitment to the principles of Convention on International Civil Aviation..
ii.The articles of the Chicago Convention establish the privileges and obligations of all contracting States and promote international ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) adoption that regulate international air transport.
iii.It should be noted that the Chicago Convention, established ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating international air travel.
- It was signed on December 7, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois (United States) by 52 signatory states.
- It went into effect on April 4, 1947.
Cabinet approves the extension of the term of the 22nd Law Commission of India upto 31st August, 2024
The Union Cabinet also approved the extension of the term of the Twenty-second Law Commission of India upto 31st August, 2024 whose tenure was supposed to end on February 20, 2023.
- It was constituted for three years on February 21, 2020 and its chairperson is Justice Rituraj Awasthi (retd).
Composition of 22nd law commission:
- Full-time Chairperson;
- Four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary)
- Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex-officio Member;
- Secretary, Legislative Department as ex officio Member; and
- Not more than five part-time Members.
Key Responsibilities:
i.Identification of laws which are no longer relevant and recommending for the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments;
ii.Suggesting enactment of new legislations
iii.Considering and conveying to the Government its views on any subject relating to law and judicial administration that may be specifically referred to it by the Government through Ministry of Law & Justice (Department of Legal Affairs);
iv.Considering the requests for providing research to any foreign countries
v.Preparing and submitting reports on all issues, matters, studies and research undertaken by it to the Central Government and recommending such reports for effective measures to be taken by the Union or any State.
About Law Commission of India:
It is a non-statutory body, constituted by the Government of India from time to time. It was originally constituted in 1955. So far, it has so far submitted 277 Reports.
Centre approves QCO for Mandatory Certification of Cotton Bale
The Union Government has approved Quality Control Order (QCO) for mandatory certification of cotton bales under specification No. IS12171: 2019-Cotton Bales to augment supply of good quality cotton to the textile industry.
- The decision for the same was taken during the 5th interactive meeting with the Textile Advisory Group (TAG) in New Delhi, Delhi to review the progress of initiatives for cotton value chain.
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Textiles presided over the meeting.
Key Points:
i.Branding of Indian cotton will add great value to the entire cotton value chain from farmers to end users.
ii.The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and TEXPROCIL (The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council) signed an MoU on December 15, 2022, to self-regulate the responsibility of Traceability, Certification and Branding of ‘KASTURI Cotton India’ with the project target period of 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Recent Related News:
i.Cabinet approved the signing of the Agreement between India and Spain on cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs Matters.
ii.The Union Cabinet has approved a MoU between India and Nepal for the construction of a bridge over Mahakali River at Dharchula in India and Dharchula in Nepal. This MoU will further improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.
About Guyana:
Capital– Georgetown
Currency– Guyanaese Dollar
President– Dr. Irfaan Ali
